I had it in my head that Loch Ossian was accessible from Rannoch Station, not Corrour. So no, that's not doable.
Hypothetical route suggestion bypassing Pitlochry/Blair Atholl entirely:
Day 1: Glasgow - Loch Voil
Day 2: Loch Voil to Kinloch Rannoch Centre 48 miles (hilly, cuts out a big loop of NCN7) http://www.hostel-scotland.co.uk/hostels/Kinloch-Rannoch-Centre-Groups-Only.htm
Day 3: Kinloch Rannoch to Inverness (85 miles, couple of big climbs but doable)
We could work out a feeder ride from central/east...
Thursday 13 August: overnight stay at Callander Hostel, on the edge of the scenic stuff - get there by bike (42 miles from Glasgow), train or car.
Friday 14 August: Callander to Pitlochry SYHA (pick up @Scoosh), 63 miles
Saturday 15 August: Pitlochry to Newtonmore Hostel, 42 miles
Sunday 16 August: Newtonmore to Inverness, 58 miles - overnight in Inverness, train home in the morning/afternoon
Cuts out any huge mileage days and keeps it at 3 days from Callander to Inverness.
I'm happy with either. The route along Loch Tay goes right past the Cave of Caerbannog and it would be a shame for the easterlings to miss the opportunity to shout "run away!"2 possible options, both of which will be subject to accommodation availability - thoughts of the collective??
I'm happy with either. The route along Loch Tay goes right past the Cave of Caerbannog and it would be a shame for the easterlings to miss the opportunity to shout "run away!"
Bravely brave Sir @Fubar, brave Sir @Fubar, brave Sir @Fubar ran away. Bravely ran away, away. When danger reared its ugly head, he bravely turned his tail and fled.I would intend to head for Callander on Thursday day/night, @Pat "5mph" can bring the White rabbit...
Phoned a Newtonmore Hostel who would be happy to take us on the Saturday night, can sleep up to 12 in the hostel with 2 more rooms in the house, bike storage, drying room, etc - its getting to Newtonmore in 2 days that's the issue!
I've left a message with a Loch Voil Hostel though they are around the 55 mile mark, which would give us an approx 92 mile target for day 2 - too much???
It's a bit of a 'mare to be honest, b&b's/hotels are £70+ per person per night at that time of year (and mainly double beds/no bike storage), self catering won't take 1 night bookings and there are not too many hostels between Loch Earn and Aberfeldy/Pitlochry - so we either have a long first day (Aberfeldy is Mile-90 from Glasgow) or we are back to a 4-day tour...
Thoughts???
Hypothetical route suggestion bypassing Pitlochry/Blair Atholl entirely:
Day 1: Glasgow - Loch Voil
Day 2: Loch Voil to Kinloch Rannoch Centre 48 miles (hilly, cuts out a big loop of NCN7) http://www.hostel-scotland.co.uk/hostels/Kinloch-Rannoch-Centre-Groups-Only.htm
Day 3: Kinloch Rannoch to Inverness (85 miles, couple of big climbs but doable)
We could work out a feeder ride from central/east...
Thursday 13 August: overnight stay at Callander Hostel, on the edge of the scenic stuff - get there by bike (42 miles from Glasgow), train or car.
Friday 14 August: Callander to Pitlochry SYHA (pick up @Scoosh), 63 miles
Saturday 15 August: Pitlochry to Newtonmore Hostel, 42 miles
Sunday 16 August: Newtonmore to Inverness, 58 miles - overnight in Inverness, train home in the morning/afternoon
Cuts out any huge mileage days and keeps it at 3 days from Callander to Inverness.
92 miles Loch Voil to Newtonmore OVER DRUMMOCHTER with luggage is probably pushing it a wee bit , even on a fine dayPhoned a Newtonmore Hostel who would be happy to take us on the Saturday night, can sleep up to 12 in the hostel with 2 more rooms in the house, bike storage, drying room, etc - its getting to Newtonmore in 2 days that's the issue!
I've left a message with a Loch Voil Hostel though they are around the 55 mile mark, which would give us an approx 92 mile target for day 2 - too much???
It's a bit of a 'mare to be honest, b&b's/hotels are £70+ per person per night at that time of year (and mainly double beds/no bike storage), self catering won't take 1 night bookings and there are not too many hostels between Loch Earn and Aberfeldy/Pitlochry - so we either have a long first day (Aberfeldy is Mile-90 from Glasgow) or we are back to a 4-day tour...
Thoughts???
92 miles Loch Voil to Newtonmore OVER DRUMMOCHTER with luggage is probably pushing it a wee bit , even on a fine day
Loch Voil - Pitlochry (SYHA) and Pitlochry - Newtonmore, on the other hand, look more reasonable to me ...
T
EDIT: have just read the rest of the thread after foolishly responding to your 1st thoughts of the day ;-). The debate has obviously moved on since then ... 63 miles Callander to Pitlochry along NCN7 is not exactly flat (Glenogle, uppy-downy along the south side of Loch Tay, and again from just before Ballinluig to Pitlochry ... there are also a few bits of gravel which slow things down (along Loch Lubnaig and on the way up and down Glenogle). So 63 miles might be pushing it a bit with loaded bikes, especially with Drummochter to come on the next day... If it's nice weather, entirely do-able, but could be pushing it if it's windy & wet.
However, please do go by the opinion of the 'definites' rather than mine, I'm only a 'maybe' still
Callander isn't exactly accessible to those without cars eitherGood points, difficulty is getting accommodation for 11+ people and bikes between Callander and Pitlochry, not to mention the extra time involved...
Could make Loch Voil the first stop, but it's not the most accessible place if people can't get the Thursday off work - might still be an option though.
The bikes really shouldn't be so heavily loaded as to be a major factor. If the weather is hideous and the Loch Lubnaig trail has turned into an impassable quagmire we can always divert onto the main road. I don't recall Glenogle being particularly muddy.63 miles Callander to Pitlochry along NCN7 is not exactly flat (Glenogle, uppy-downy along the south side of Loch Tay, and again from just before Ballinluig to Pitlochry ... there are also a few bits of gravel which slow things down (along Loch Lubnaig and on the way up and down Glenogle). So 63 miles might be pushing it a bit with loaded bikes, especially with Drummochter to come on the next day... If it's nice weather, entirely do-able, but could be pushing it if it's windy & wet.
63 miles Callander to Pitlochry along NCN7 is not exactly flat (Glenogle, uppy-downy along the south side of Loch Tay, and again from just before Ballinluig to Pitlochry ... there are also a few bits of gravel which slow things down (along Loch Lubnaig and on the way up and down Glenogle). So 63 miles might be pushing it a bit with loaded bikes, especially with Drummochter to come on the next day...